[vimeo http://vimeo.com/53419719]
There comes a time in all of our lives when we let ourselves dream about living life on our own terms. When we wrestle with the decision to take a step into traffic, follow our passions and live deliberately – or simply let another day, and daydream, pass.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if we make the decision of our own accord, or life makes it for us. It’s where our heart and soul are that matter. For some, the result is a closer alignment between vocation and avocation, for some it’s a reprioritization of what’s important in life, for some it’s the very real difference between life and death.
Set primarily against the diverse, rugged and breathtaking landscape of Idaho and Oregon, A Deliberate Life explores the stories of five unlikely friends who share the same love of fly fishing and the outdoors and their choice to lead a life according to their passions.
I’m struggling with this now. I think we all are. I’m 33 with a comfortable job in IT. I’m good at what I do. It comes easy. That ease means I’m not challenged. After awhile, you’re just going through the motions and realize you’re not happy. I wish someone had a magic formula to change that. Luckily I’m taking the steps I need to make me happy. (and no, it doesn’t involve prescription and/or non-prescription drugs)
This film is going to speak to a lot of folks out there. Can’t wait to see it all.
I hear you about the happiness balance, and as one who is on the opposite side of the spectrum of what you describe (all fun, limited responsibility, no career aside from guiding) there are benefits and downsides of both. I’m convinced the way to do it is just be born with a trust fund, solves problems on both ends. I can’t wait to see the vid as well, looks so good.
I think you’re right on the trust fund part. I could use a rich unknown relative in my life
I guess I must be the odd man out here, but I don’t quite get it. I think Americans (and I’m one of them) are so obsessed with the idea that their lives are supposed to be 100% fulfilling, 100% of the time, with 100% maximum happiness, that in the end they get stressed out (and therefore even more unhappy) when it doesn’t work out exactly like that. It’s called “work” because you have to do it if you want to eat, raise a family, and get some medical care. Fly fishing (or whatever) all the time is fun until the bills come due. There’s actually something to be said for providing for your kids, putting in a good day’s work, doing something that matters for other people even if it’s not always fun, etc.
OK, maybe I’ve got a bit overboard here. Sorry. But I still feel that way.
I feel you. I think a lot of it is finding work that is rewarding and actually makes you happy. I’ve got too many friends who work their asses off and can’t seem to make time to fish. 6 days a week, overtime, barely any family time. The food is on the table, but there’s nobody home. To me, that’s no way to live. I’m on both sides of the fence. I’ve got a strong work ethic, I know I gotta work to eat and be one part of the husband/wife equation. I also know at best I’ve got 70 decent years on this rock, 80 if I’m lucky and my youthful transgressions don’t catch up to me. I wanna spend as much of that time enjoying myself as I can.
Dave,
I don’t think I did a very good job explaining myself. I don’t think I’ll do it well now, either. Too much turkey, maybe?
But, I’ll give it some more thought. I didn’t mean to suggest we shouldn’t try to enjoy ourselves. I think it’s something more along the lines of “Maybe we need to recognize that there are a lot of ways to make a life.” ? I just find too many of these kinds of films entirely predictable, and I think they end up not really saying much….or at least not anything new.
We’ll work this all out over cold beer and smallmouth poppers.
(By the way, I hiked along Wildcat Creek yesterday to burn off some food. I’ll be back.)
For sure. I know what you’re saying and yes, we’ll need to fish it come spring.
Hey Dave and T.J –
First, thanks Dave, for giving the promo a shout. Even though I’m woefully late to this comment strand, I appreciate it.
T.J. – I understand where you’re coming from as well. That said, there’s nothing in this film that’s suggesting that anyone chuck-it-all and fly fish full-time or neglect responsibilities or avoid an honest day’s work. Quite the contrary. The premise is that if you’re simply going through the motions, if you’re working first and everything else sort of fits into the periphery, if you’re just plain miserable (or significantly depressed, something I fight on a daily basis), then you need to check your priorities – before you lose twenty years of your life, or your kids’ lives.
Fly fishing happens to be the common thread that ties the five of us in the film together. That is what helped us forge our friendships, along with the fact that each of us has reached the shit-or-get-off-the-pot moment and decided to shit, in a manner of speaking.
I’m prior service Army and a freelance marketing writer. I left my day job at an ad agency to make my own way as a writer, hustling my own clients and projects (primarily in the outdoor industry, where my passion is). I’m not happy or fulfilled 100% of the time. No way. But that’s not what it’s about. I am making time for my family and generally giving myself a shot at a better quality of life by how it’s lived vs. how much I make. That is what it’s about.
Here’s the link to our initial promo we did to try to get sponsors – that might give a better look at the “why” behind the project. https://vimeo.com/59626855
I very much appreciate your response to the promo Dave put up here. It’s valid – absolutely. Part of the reason for taking on this project was to actually tell a story that means something, as opposed to the crazy destination-, silver-spoon- and fishporn-filled films that the industry is swamped in.
Anyhow – thanks for the read and for weighing in. Good luck with the smallies.
Matt